Persecution Blog: Forgiving Our Persecutors

Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 18 that they were to forgive those who sinned against them 70 times seven, an excessive number with which he meant that forgiveness should be unlimited. The issue of offering forgiveness to our persecutors has been central to VOM’s ministry since the beginning. VOM’s founder, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, often spoke of forgiving our enemies to reach them with the gospel, and he exemplified this approach in his own life.

In his book In God’s Underground, Richard tells the story of meeting a man named Borila who slaughtered hundreds of Jews and likely killed the parents, sisters and brother of Richard’s wife, Sabina. When Richard discovered this possible connection, he challenged the man. Richard told him that if Sabina learned who Borila was, she would forgive him and offer him the best that was in her house.

“Now if Sabina, who is a sinner like us all, can forgive and love like this, imagine how Jesus, who is perfect Love, can forgive and love you!” Richard told Borila. “Only turn to him — and everything you have done will be forgiven!”

Borila fell to his knees and repented at that moment. Richard awakened Sabina, who was ill and sleeping in the next room, and told her about the man’s past and possible connection to her family. As Richard had predicted, Sabina came out and immediately embraced the man. Forgiving our persecutors is as necessary in our work today as it ever was, and we continually see how God uses the responses of persecuted Christians to touch hearts.

Excerpted from Seventy Times Seven, the feature story in VOM’s August newsletter, by Dory P. United States residents can sign up to receive VOM’s free monthly newsletter here.